The Gold State Warriors failed to qualify for the postseason last time out despite Steph Curry dropping career numbers for them. They were missing one of the best players in Klay Thompson. The shooting guard was out injured for the last two seasons and the Warriors missed him dearly especially on the offensive side of things.
With Klay, the Warriors will be a totally different team. However coming back from a career-ending Achilles injury, it will be very difficult for the shooting guard to reach his previous best.
Former Warriors assistant coach, Jerry DeGregorio has lauded Thompson and his exceptional shooting skills. Ever since he came to the NBA, the shooting guard was always the most talked-about player because of his shooting prowess.
He has that great catch and shoot ability and is able to hit knockdowns from anywhere on the court. This was one area of Thompson’s game that DeGregorio found out in the player’s rookie season.
“His rookie season, there was a game where Klay took too many 3s for Monta Ellis’s liking. Monta Ellis just ripped into this rookie: ‘You’re taking too many shots. Pass the ball. You’re just a rook.’ The very next offensive possession, ball swings, goes to Klay. He takes the first shot and makes a 3.”
“I’m thinking, ‘This kid is an ice-cold killer’,” said Jerry.
During his rookie season, Klay averaged 12.5 points and had a great field goal percentage of 52. But his three-point shooting has always been the standout point for the 31-year-old.
The shooting guard shot at 41.4 percent from beyond the arc and has only improved that statistic in the next few years. Since then Klay’s three point scoring percentage is 41.9 percent. While he does not have the dribbling skills like Steph Curry, he is surely a very reliable player when it comes to knocking down shots. His ability to hit corner threes with aplomb makes him one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. Klay has this knack of taking on defenders and still knocking them down with relative ease speaks volumes about the skill that he has mastered over the years
Therefore when Curry and Klay combine the Warriors often turn into an exceptional offensive unit. Hopefully he will return to court this season and help Curry and the Warriors to reach the playoffs again.
